For James Milner , it's a source of great pride. It also helps when it comes to “shutting down” team-mates when the flak is flying in the dressing room.

The experienced Liverpool midfielder has provided more assists than any other player in the Champions League so far this season.

Remarkably, despite only playing 341 minutes of action in the competition, Milner has created seven goals – three more than nearest challengers Neymar, Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Roberto Firmino.

The only players in Champions League history to previously reach or exceed that tally are Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Xavi, Mesut Ozil and Neymar.

Not bad for a 32-year-old better known for providing perspiration rather than inspiration and who has only made 15 starts for the Reds in all competitions this term.

James Milner of Liverpool during the Premier League match against Newcastle United (Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

“It's nice to have,” Milner admitted.

“There has been a bit of banter about it. There always is around the dressing room. It helps me shut down any arguments!

“I just want to contribute to the team. Throughout my career I’ve managed to create goals for the teams I have played for.

“That’s a strength of mine even though I am seen as a bit of a workhorse who runs around a bit. Throughout the years if you look at the stats, I have created a few goals. I feel this is one of my strengths as a player. Hopefully I can keep doing that.”

James Milner takes part in a press conference at Anfield on the eve of the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 football match against Porto. (Image: (Photo credit should read ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP/Getty Images))

Having only come off the bench late on in Saturday's 2-0 win over Newcastle, Milner looks certain to start Tuesday night's second leg against Porto at Anfield.

Liverpool have one foot in the quarter-finals following the 5-0 thrashing they dished out last month but the former Manchester City man insists the tie is still alive.

“Things went right for us on the night in Porto, but they had chances before we got our goals,” he said.

“It was a fantastic performance. We were ruthless and clinical. We went out there and scored five so there is no reason why they can't go out there and do that.

“If you look at their last few results, they've won their last four games and scored a lot of goals. With the team Porto have got and the experience they have, we have to be ready for them. If I was in their dressing room I'd want to prove a point.

“Every time we put that Liverpool shirt on there is an expectation and a pressure to win the game. We want to keep this run going.

“We're in a good place as a squad. This is the time of the season where it matters most.”

That emphatic win in Portugal fuelled talk that Liverpool could go all the way to Kiev in May.

Milner is excited about the direction Jurgen Klopp's side are heading as they look to end the club's six-year trophy drought.

“I think we are getting closer,” he said.

“We've been improving all the time since I’ve been here. We are an exciting team to watch.

Liverpool's James Milner gestures during the Champions League round of sixteen first leg soccer match between FC Porto and Liverpool FC at the Dragao (Image: AP Photo/Luis Vieira)

“I think we are learning to manage games better than we have done in the past. That maturity is coming through.

“We want to win games by scoring goals but there are times when you need to hold that extra midfielder back, play behind the ball and sense what's happening in the game.

“At this stage of the tournament you need to have a belief that you can go on and win it, although still take it a game at a time.

“We have proved over the last few years we can beat anyone on our day. But it is about being consistent, learning from the mistakes you’ve made and not looking too far ahead.”

With 32-goal Mohamed Salah on board, anything is possible. If the Egyptian winger scores against Porto he will equal the club record set by Dick Forshaw (1924/25) and John Aldridge (1988/89) for scoring in eight consecutive Liverpool games.

“Mo's had a great season so far and we hope it continues,” Milner said.

Mohamed Salah and James Milner in discussion ahead of the penalty kick in the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Liverpool (Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))

“He's a great character around the dressing room. I know Mo had played in England before but changing club and changing league there is a big difference between England and Italy.

“To settle as fast as he has and to be as ruthless as he has is a credit not to only to him but also the players around him and the club for helping him.

“You need those moments of brilliance at times to unlock a defence and he can do that. He can create goals out of nothing but as a team it's important we take some of the pressure off him.”

Milner is one of the elder statesmen in Klopp's squad and has watched the development of youngsters like Trent Alexander-Arnold with interest so far this season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool with Patrice Evra of West Ham United (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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“This is a young squad,” he added. “I think Raggy (Ragnar Klavan) and myself are up there with the oldest. We are not over the hill at 32, some would say we are in our prime!

“Trent has been unbelievable. To have the likes of him, Joe Gomez and Ben Woodburn round the squad around the squad, their attitude and the way they conduct themselves is first class I cannot say enough good things about them.

“It is a young squad learning all the time but there are characters in the dressing room and we are a close knit group.

“All the players want to learn, do their best for the team and are willing to go that extra mile to be successful.”